Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Jefferson, a native of Jacksonville, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 26.
Jefferson graduated from White Oak High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.
“Growing up in a military town taught me a respect for service, discipline and community,” Jefferson said. “That environment instilled in me a sense of responsibility and pride, values that are essential in the Navy. Understanding the lifestyle and mindset of military life helped make the transition smoother for me.”
Jefferson joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Jefferson serves as a naval air crewman (operator).
“My grandfather’s and father’s military service inspired me to join the military,” Jefferson said. “My grandfather served in the Army in Vietnam, and my father served 12 years in the Marine Corps, and it seemed like a great idea to continue the legacy of military service.”
Members of VP-26 fly and maintain the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials.
P-8A aircraft deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
“The hard work and dedication of our sailors have been the driving force behind our squadron’s success, enabling us to remain mission-effective and ready at all times,” said VP-26 commanding officer Cmdr. Taylor Barros.
“Their relentless commitment has shaped a forward-leaning team that consistently meets challenges head-on and excels in every operational environment.”
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Jefferson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.0
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is graduating from the P-8A Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course,” Jefferson said. “The goal of the course is to train aircrew to become experts in using the P-8A’s weapons systems and sensors and to lead complex military operations involving the aircraft.”
Jefferson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Service, to me, is being a part of a team working together to complete a common mission,” Jefferson said. “It’s about the lifelong relationships you build through shared experiences and trust established through training together for months or even years.”
Jefferson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Salah, for supporting me through multiple deployments, missed birthdays and holidays,” Jefferson said. “Having a loving wife to come back to makes it a little bit easier.”
